Idiomatic expressions with put

A large number of idioms and expressions use the word put. Here is a fairly exhaustive list of idiomatic expressions with put. Each expression is followed by its meaning or definition. Example sentences are also given.

Put a cork in it!

To put a cork in it! is to keep quiet. If someone asks you to put a cork in it, what they mean is that you should stop talking.

Mary, put a cork in it! Don’t you see that I’m working?

Put the bite on someone

To put the bite on someone is to try to get some money from them.

I don’t think that you should put the bite on me. I’m already broke.

Put the finger on someone

I can’t put the finger on this guy in the photo. I’ve seen him somewhere, but I don’t remember his name. (= I can’t identify this guy in the photo.)

Put someone away

To put someone away is to put them in prison.

Do you think that we can reform that fellow by putting his away?

Put on the Ritz

To put on the Ritz is to do everything that would make someone feel special.

Whenever I visit my sister in Canada she really puts on the Ritz for me.

Put your nose in

To put your nose in is to interfere in someone’s business.

It is true that she is my neighbor but I don’t like her. She likes to put her nose in my affairs.

Put down

To put somebody down is to humiliate them or criticize them.

My boss would not miss an even a single opportunity to put me down. That was the reason I changed my jobs.